VIDEO: Houston documentary Stick ‘Em Up!'s latest trailer

I told you last year how Houston filmmaker Alex “PR!MO” Luster was working on a documentary about street artists who are into wheatpasting in the Bayou City. The project is called Stick ‘Em Up! The films latest trailer is out.

WATCH IT HERE (NSFW!)

Here is a description of the documentary:

Stick ‘Em Up! is an alluring and captivating film that delves into the little known world of wheat pasting, an inner city art form that’s as provocative as it is misunderstood. Documentary filmmaker Alex ‘PR!MO’ Luster delves into the minds and motivations behind several guerilla street artists capturing the lifespan of their art... conception, creation, placement and ultimately the removal by the city abatement enforcement.
With commentary by legendary street artists and from top local law enforcement officials, “Stick ’Em Up!” is a gritty, street smart documentary that reveals the secret truth behind some of the prolific images you see everyday.

http://www.stickemupmovie.com

Extreme Makeover Houston photos, a very sore TV weatherman and more

TV Weatherman is back but still sore from motorcycle wreck
Garry Seith, chief meteorologist for KTXA/Channel 21 was in a neck brace for three weeks and off the air for a month.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Houston photos
The workers have had a muddy time.

The Single Most Epic Pest-Control Ad Ever Heard On Radio
​Houstonians who listen to 1560 The Game occasionally get to hear the most epic pest-control commercial of all time.

Local TV dream team launches indie news site
If there were a dream team of Utah’s most well-known television news anchors, it would be the group of personalities behind Salt TV Network.

ABC's biggest mystery: Why did Steve McPherson leave?
The biggest cliffhanger in television this week is what prompted combative ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson to throw in the towel and make a swift exit.

KPRC 2 creative services director Gary Wann leaves for KXAS 5 DFW

One of the folks who had a major impact on KPRC 2 in recent years is heading for Dallas-Fort Worth. KPRC creative services director Gary Wann has accepted the job of vice president of marketing and brand development for KXAS 5 NBC.

This is actually a homecoming for Wann who came to Houston from KTVT CBS 11 in 2007.

Wann tells me he enjoyed working at KPRC and living in Houston but is looking forward to returning to the DFW area. We can forgive him.

On a personal note, Gary hired me on a consulting basis to develop KPRC's Facebook presence and I really enjoyed working for him. He clearly loves the TV business, knows his stuff and I wish him well in North Texas. Houston, we lost a good one this week.

His last day at channel 2 is this Friday.

http://www.tvpromoguy.com/

VIDEO: 93Q and the Q Morning Zoo with John Lander TV commercial

Back before it was country, 93Q KKBQ was a popular top 40 station in Houston battling it out with 104.1 KRBE which is still around today. Here is a TV spot with John Lander from the Q Morning Zoo from 1988.  By the way, Jammer deejayed a middle school dance of mine at TH Rogers.

RELATED
- 93Q and 79Q KKBQ tribute page
- Remember John Lander of Houston's 93Q KKBQ Morning Zoo?

Lady Gaga's Houston adventures

I know Lady Gaga is one of the biggest stars in the world. So I figured you might enjoy some of the blog coverage of her Houston visit - from on stage to around the Bayou City.

AROUND HOUSTON
- Tracking Lady Gaga's Houston adventure: From the St. Regis pool to Dirt Bar
- Lady Gaga dines late at Spanish Flowers and goes unnoticed

THE CONCERT
- Backstage with Lady Gaga: Only Lynn Wyatt and her lucky friends get to share the love
- Lady Gaga's "Monster" show is a perfect mix of theater, dance, sex, scandal, horror & parental dysfunction
- Lady Gaga At Toyota Center - Again

FANS AND FASHION
- "Monsters" dress to impress their idol, Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga Style Tips From Two Houston Experts

Why does Channel 8 KUHT PBS Houston air the shows it does?

If you are a viewer of Channel 8 KUHT PBS Houston and want to know how the station chooses which shows we see, then pause the Nova special you are watching and continue reading.

Channel 8 has alerted me to an upcoming online conference in August that will put you in touch with the KUHT programming staff:

Due to an overwhelming demand from HoustonPBS’ first online conference and PBS fall preview, they have brought it back for a second installment. Do you have a question or comment about Channel 8 programming? Want to be the first to see shows coming to PBS this fall? Join HoustonPBS online for an interactive Chat with the HoustonPBS Programmers on Thursday, August 19 from 6:30-7:30 P.M.

Viewers can log on from their home computers to participate in this free, interactive, video web conference. Participants will have a chance to learn about scheduling choices, find out about upcoming programs, watch exclusive clips from the PBS fall line-up and interact with the HoustonPBS staff in real time. Space is limited.

To sign up, visit www.houstonpbs.org/chat.

I need to ask them why I was addicted to The Charlie Rose Show for about two years.

VIDEO: Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Trailer - On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Trailer
Uploaded by teasertrailer. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

Johnny Depp in character talking to the camera as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - On Stranger Tides. Sparrow denies that he is looking for the fountain of youth and lets talk of alcohol distract him.

At the end I swear he says, "Bloody Marys all around - it's on the Mouse." The Mouse being a reference to Disney who produces the film!

Abby's Book Corner book drive winding down

The 1st edition of Abby's Book Corner Houston benefiting the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center is coming to an end.

Hurry and drop off your books at the following locations:

Amy's Ice Creams - 3816 Farnham Street | Houston, TX 77098-4002 | (713) 526-2697

Nick's Place (near Westheimer and Gessner)- 2713 Rockyridge Drive | Houston, TX 77063 | (713) 780-8338

http://www.abbysbookcorner.com/houston.php

Control your TV with your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Last April I reviewed the RedEye by Thinkflood. It's a device that lets you control your TV, cable box, stereo...etc from an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Since there are constantly new phones on the market, Thinkflood has joined the crowd and just released a new product too. RedEye mini is a portable universal remote adapter for Apple iOS devices. The mini plugs into the headphone jack of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The hardware costs $49 and requires the free download RedEye app.

The company says the RedEye mini can operate anything controlled by infrared signals anywhere such as TVs, cable and satellite receivers, gaming consoles, Blu-ray, DVD and digital media players.

The company really wants to help dudes out who always want to control the remote (at least that is what our wives and girlfriends say about us). I'm told you can turn down the volume on that terrible video in the waiting room at the doctor's office, switch the TV at the bar to the game you actually want to watch or change the channel at your friend's house when they won't hand over the remote. One day someone might even change the channel on KIAH 39's NewsFix newscast.

Coming later this summer, the app will get a free in-app TV program/channel guide too.

http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye-mini/

UPDATE
- ThinkFlood recalling their iPhone/iPad IR blaster
- ThinkFlood recalls lot of RedEye Mini IR dongles

VIDEO: Jonathan Novack video from early in his TV career

I believe former TV weatherman and Bachelorette contestant Jonathan Novack made an appearance on ABC last night. But let's go way back and see a younger Novack in 2001 at KCBD in Lubbock, TX. Based on his Halloween story, the Lubbock audience probably didn't know how to react. It's pretty funny for small market TV.

We have more Novack TV stories from KPRC 2 also.
- Art of Collecting - Action Figures
- Action Figures Outtakes

RELATED
- Former TV weatherman and Bachelorette contestant Jonathan Novack to hit Houston comedy clubs - Former weatherman Jonathan Novack continues in reality TV
- Houston TV meteorologist on ABC's The Bachelorette 2010?
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Jonathan Novack is leaving
- Bachelor Jake Pavelka guest hosts on WFAA 8
- Mary Lee storms onto KPRC 2's weather team 

Why I write the mikemcguff.com blog and other dark secrets

Julio Ceniceros of Spark Houston must have run out of people to interview because he chose me as his latest profile piece.

So if you want to know why I started the blog, what inspired me, my all time favorite post...etc. Then click here.

It's stuff I'm not going to talk about on this blog because I want to maintain your interest. Although there is a funny Michael Berry story in there.

Trae Tha Truth, 97.9 KBXX end lawsuits

This week is a much better one than the last for us all. A Houston rapper and a local radio station have called a truce.

Multiple websites are reporting H-Town's own Trae Tha Truth and 97.9 KBXX have agreed to stop the lawsuit battle against each other. You might remember there has been an alleged ban of Trae Tha Truth from the airwaves of The Box.

But what about the casualties in this music vs media feud? DJ Brandi Garcia said she was fired from 97.9 The Box over this war. And what about the hours Trae Tha Truth was not on the air or the negative press for the radio station when this is all said and done?

READ MORE
- Trae Tha Truth, KBXX Walk Away From Lawsuit Over Rapper's Ban
- Radio One and Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth end their legal battle

Fox 26 KRIV steals Michelle Merhar from 740 KTRH

We saw Erin Anthony deliver a tearful goodbye on her last day at the Fox 26 KRIV traffic department a few weeks ago. Today the station debuted Michelle Merhar in that role. You might know that name from when she was at 740 KTRH as a web reporter...oh...let's see...just last week. Merhar has left KTRH and moved over to Fox 26 mornings officially.

Watch Merhar's official television debut above. Just think, this video could be history in the making. If Merhar is still on the traffic post 10 years from now, or maybe even a TV anchor, we can all return to this post and say, "I was there for her first day!" It's almost akin to when The Wall fell. Cue David Hasselhoff.

RELATED
- VIDEO: Erin Anthony's tearful goodbye from Fox 26 KRIV traffic beat

Former Fox 26 anchor joins another KRIV alum, a VJs efficiency and more

Former Fox 26 anchor Anna Davlantes joins 'Good Day Chicago'
She anchored Fox 26 and now Anna Davlantes, the star contributing anchor and reporter on Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32’s late news since last November, is moving to the station’s morning show “Good Day Chicago." Who does she join? Former Fox 26 morning anchor Jan Jeffcoat.
- Former Fox 26 KRIV anchor leaves NBC Chicago
- Why did former Fox 26 anchor Anna Davlantes drop out of Chicago TV?
- Former Fox 26 anchor Anna Davlantes lands new gig

How VJs are changing TV news
Many news managers believe VJs offer more flexibility at a lower cost with little or no reduction in quality. But new research suggests it’s not all good news.

Fox4 experiments with new point/counterpoint feature on 9 p.m. newscasts
Uncle Barky reports KDFW is doing a corporate-mandated feature for all Fox-owned stations.

Liberal journalists suggest government shut down Fox News
Emails leaked from "Journolist" list-serv.

New Cameras Make Multimedia Easy
New video camera concepts introduced this summer by Canon and Sony, and coming to market soon from RED Camera, signal the first major transformation in news cameras since the introduction of the groundbreaking Sony VX1000 more than 15 years ago.

VIDEO: KTRK 13 weather in 1979 with Ed Brandon

Let's go back in time to 1979 at KTRK 13. Weatherman Ed Brandon was doing the weather without the aid of all the computers he uses today when filling in. Back then it was black and white maps and a pointer.

Who was anchoring back in 1979. This video tells us...it was Diana Fallis. According to Wikipedia, Fallis was KTRK's first African American female anchor and later served as a media relations liaison with Prairie View AandM University.

UPDATE
Ed Brandon comments on this post about this time period.

Thanks, Mike. That is an amazing find. While I don't remember that specific cast (there were 17 years of Sunday night, 7-Day forecasts} it apparently was during the period when we were showing off the latest technological advancement of the day...electronic character generation! The word "Chryon" was spoken in a reverential tone. Ed B.

RELATED
- AUDIO: Ed Brandon talks about TV with Mike McGuff
- Ed Brandon announces retirement on the mikemcguff blog
- VIDEO: TV weather celebrity stunt
- VIDEO: KTRK 13 Eyewitness News promo 1995

Houston Restaurant Week 2010, Aug. 1- 21

You know Cleverley Stone from Talk 650 KIKK and Fox 26 KRIV, but did you know she also is behind Houston Restaurant Week? The event has been around since 2003 and benefits the Houston Food Bank.

All you have to do to get involved is have an appetite. More than 100 restaurants in the Houston area will offer a prix fixe, three-course gourmet dinner menu for $35 per person, with $5 of each dinner sold benefiting the Houston Food Bank. New to Houston Restaurant Week 2010, select restaurants will also offer two-course lunch menus for $20, donating $3 of each lunch sold to the Houston Food Bank. All Houston Restaurant Week meals exclude beverages, tax and gratuity.

“Houston Restaurant Week is a great occasion for Houstonians to experience our impressive array of dining options at prices that won’t break the bank, all while helping to fight hunger,” said Stone. “Last year, we raised a record-breaking $240,000, with 100 percent of funds raised donated to the Houston Food Bank. We hope to raise even more this year to support the Houston Food Bank in their mission to provide food for the hungry in 18 southeast Texas counties.”

A list of participating restaurants can be found at http://www.houstonrestaurantweek.com.
The event lasts from Sunday, August 1 - Saturday, August 21.

NASA site lets you "take a walk" on Mars

NASA just put out a bunch of super detailed maps of the Mars planetary surface. It's all thanks to a camera on  the Mars Odyssey spacecraft. This is the most accurate global Martian map ever.

Users can pan around images and zoom into them. At full zoom, the smallest surface details are 330 feet wide. While portions of Mars have been mapped at higher resolution, this map provides the most accurate view so far of the entire planet.

GO SEE THE MAPS

The 2010 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2010 Inductees and the radio stations they are most identified with are:

(In alphabetical order)
Marty Ambrose (KEYH/KLOL/KQUE - Houston)
Brad Barton (KRLD/WBAP - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Rolando Becerra (KLAT/KEYH/KXYZ - Houston)
Tony Bridge (KMHT/KHER/KLUE - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Bud Buschardt (WFAA/KVIL - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Maurice "Crash" Collins (KLOL/KZFX - Houston)
Don Couser (KONO/KDOK/KUKA - San Antonio)
Don "Skinny" Green (George Bason) (KONO - San Antonio)
Jack Hines (Heinritz) (KNUS/KRLD - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Scott Hodges (KLIF/WBAP/KTSA - San Antonio - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Bill Kiley (KONO - San Antonio)
Joe Ladd (KIKK - Houston)
Mary McCoy (KVST/KMCO/KIKR - Houston)
Bill Moffett (KLOL/ KXYZ/KFMK - Houston)
Dayna Steele (KLOL - Houston)
Jim White (KRLD/KNUS - Dallas-Fort Worth)
Paul Williams (KGKB/KNUZ/KDOK - Houston)

Congrats to all!

http://www.texasradiohalloffame.com/

KIAH 39 dumps traditional newscasts

UPDATE 8/2010
Gary Jaffe is new KIAH 39 Imaginator for NewsFix

Oh the rumors were flying around the Houston TV media scene Thursday afternoon. Is 39 KIAH really getting rid of its newscast? Yes and no. The answer is actually on KIAH's own website.

I've blogged in the past how Tribune (the owner of KIAH 39) is not playing around with traditional newscasts anymore. On the TV company's upcoming makeover, Tribune Co.'s chief innovation officer Lee Abrams recently told the Chicago Tribune, "It's elevating us and escaping the grip of the 1970s television playbook that seems to be what every station in America is addicted to."

Now we know what Abrams was talking about thanks to this week's job posting on Channel 39's website. This is not your average, boring TV job listing that reads the same at every station. Take my word for it and read every line - I thought it was very clever:

Executive Producer and Imaginator (Full-Time Position) A radically different approach to local TV News is being planned and the new Tribune Company is looking for the right person to hire, lead, and implement a revolution in TV news. Experience in running a TV Newsroom is not necessary and might actually be detrimental, as this position requires someone with no traditional TV News baggage, because there's little tradition involved in this idea. We do want someone:

* With a fiery passion to help re-invent the 80's rooted, focus grouped, yuppie anchors and a news desk, super doppler ultra weather style
* Who can take the blueprint and pilot for a new concept and make it happen with guidance, ideas and interaction
* Who lives and breathes content
* That is in sync with the pulse of the streets, not the PC Journalism world
* Has well honed B.S. Radar
* Who understands and embraces new production technology
* Who thinks in stereo and lives in color
* Who knows that most local TV News sucks and wants to do something about it
* Can survive and prosper in a modern high brilliance standards rock n roll culture
* Gets "it"
* Excruciatingly high quality, imagination and execution standards

The creatively challenged, old school TV news types and anyone lost in the 80's really shouldn't apply. But if this thing excites you, talk to us. Shoot your resume, POV on TV News and anything else you think might help sell you as the right person to deliver the goods on our new idea for TV News. KIAH-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please list source of referral. No phone calls please. Send resumes to: KIAH-TV, HR Coordinator, 7700 Westpark Dr., Houston, TX 77063 or e-mail to: rbare@39online.com.

I understand some KIAH 39 employees are a little anxious about this radical thinking. In fact the ones I heard from still are still unclear exactly what this all means for their jobs. Stay tuned.

So far KDAF 33 in Dallas does not have a job posting like this.

RELATED
- Tribune stations like KIAH 39 and KDAF 33 are getting makeovers
- Cussing and insults mark TV station group ad campaigns

UPDATE
The Houston Chroncile's David Barron reports KIAH 39 will launch NewsFix which "discards on-camera anchors and reporters and focuses on natural sound and video to tell stories." READ MORE

UPDATE 8/2010
Gary Jaffe is new KIAH 39 Imaginator for NewsFix

VIDEO: KTRK 13 Eyewitness News promo 1995

Here is a KTRK 13 Eyewitness News promo from 1995 via Houston TV news on YouTube. I specifically remember this ad because I was interning at the station when they were filming it.

Ask the Rock 101 KLOL DJs your questions

I am interviewing Dayna Steele, the First Lady of Houston Rock Radio, from the legendary Rock 101 KLOL. She's going to tell me all about those wild times in Houston radio. http://www.daynasteele.com/

What questions would you ask her? Let me know.

If you have questions for Stevens and Pruett, Outlaw Dave, Lanny Griffith...etc. let me know those too!

RELATED
Rock 101 KLOL documentary in production

Former KPRC 2 reporter and wife allegedly assaulted

A former KPRC 2 reporter is off the air at his current TV station after he and his wife were hurt from an alleged assault. The whole thing went down in front of the couple's children too.

You might remember Brendan Keefe. He left Houston and KPRC in the early 2000s to become a reporter for WCBS in New York. Now he is an anchor in Cincinnati at WCPO-TV Channel 9 News.

Earlier this month, police say the Keefe family was relaxing at a country club pool when an unattended golf cart crashed into a fence right near them. Witnesses told police the driver of that cart was inebriated and allegedly shoved Tiffany Keefe after the crash. It's reported that Brendan pushed the man after his wife was on the ground and then was punched back.

Prosecutors have since dropped misdemeanor charges against the man. Cincinnati.com reports a grand jury will decide if charges should be brought at this point. The paper also reports Tiffany has a skull fracture and Brendan's eye injuries will keep him off the air for some time.

Sounds like a really bad scene all around.  Hope everything turns out alright.

RELATED
- Grand jury to consider assault case involving Channel 9's Brendan Keefe
- Charges Dropped in News Anchor Attack
- Channel 9 anchor Brendan Keefe, wife assaulted

Former Fox 26 reporter lands gig in Dallas, Buffolino's KENS 5 status, Baylor voice injured and more

CW33 adds Duarte Geraldino to reporting staff
Former Fox 26 KRIV reporter Duarte Geraldino lands at KDAF 33 in Dallas.

Relax, Vicki fans! Buffolino 'can't wait' to return to KENS job
Viewers are getting increasingly antsy over the longtime absence of KENS morning and noon co-anchor Vicki Buffolino.

Voice of Baylor Bears hit by truck
John Morris, the voice of the Baylor University Bears' athletic teams, is recovering after being hit by a truck. (thanks Will-E)

CBS11 names investigations head
KTVT rebuilds its investigative unit by hiring Lisa Blegen from WTVT.

UT-Arlington college radio gets digital update
To hear the sports talk hosts banter about concussions in the NFL or LeBron James, you need a computer mouse or an iPhone app to find UTARadio.com.

Film crews keep bringing Waco to big screen
Yes, Waco is a place movies are being shot.

Why don't hurricanes have last names?

I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at this reader email Q and A with The Houston Chronicle's Ken Hoffman:

Why don't hurricanes have last names?
— Rick Forest, Houston

(Hoffman answer:) Because, if hurricanes had last names, weathermen would find out where they live and start sending them flowers.

RELATED
AUDIO: KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse surprises Ken Hoffman

KTRK 13 reporter Ted Oberg to lead discussion on Gulf oil cleanup

Next month, KTRK 13 specialty reporter Ted S. Oberg will will lead a panel on the political consequences of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill concerning areas like climate change and energy legislation with Kristen Hays of Reuters.

This is a part of the larger "Oil Spill Litigation and Emerging Issues Seminar" featuring industry experts, governmental authorities and leading practitioners from around the country discussing clean-up efforts, pending litigation, damages and governmental actions.

Also making an appearance will be John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil Company. He is also the author of the new book, Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider. Hofmeister will be tackling topics like the unfulfilled promises that politicians make with respect to energy independence.

The seminar will take place at the Houstonian Hotel on August 12-13.

VIDEO: The controversial Michael Berry on 740 KTRH

740 KTRH's Michael Berry seems to get more and more controversial from what I understand. KHOU 11's Len Cannon filed a profile on the former Houston city council member's talk show.

RELATED
- 740 KTRH's Michael Berry gets federal complaint filed against him
- Michael Berry of 740 KTRH going national?
- Michael Berry talks to Mike McGuff about his new radio role, leaving politics

VIDEO: Very unique wedding proposal

Graffiti Proposal from PR!MO on Vimeo.

[via shooteditsleep.com]

RELATED
VIDEO: Houston street art documentary

1560 The Game invades KPRC 2

Here is video of 1560 The Game KGOW's David Nuno and Raheel Ramzanali invading Sports Sunday with Randy McIlvoy.

Immediately The Game crew starts taking photos and tweeting. That's 21st century media for you!

They're talking Houston Rockets acquisitions. Enjoy!

RELATED
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers in action PART 3
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers get down PART 2
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 1

PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 4

What's a week without some Houston Rockets Power Dancer audition photos? Here is the last batch from the original four I told you about. Enjoy!

SEE THE HOUSTON ROCKET POWER DANCERS TRY OUT


RELATED
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers in action PART 3
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers get down PART 2
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 1

KXAN, KIII and KBTX reporter/anchor moves

The Napoli Management Group reports that several of its reporters are making job moves in Texas.

Forgetaboutit...Rhonda Lee is no longer at News 12 the Bronx. She's moved to KXAN in Austin as a weekend morning meteorologist.

Making a station switch without having to jump on an airplane, Caitilin Espinosa joins the KIII team in Corpus Christi doing double duty as the morning and evening weathercaster. Why hire two people when one can do both jobs? Espinosa leaves KVEO in Brownsville.

Jessica James heads to Aggieland and KBTX as a weekend anchor and reporter. She was previously at KTAL as a reporter and interned at WFAA in Dallas. Make sure to Google her name with a KBTX behind it. Otherwise there is another Jessica James who spells things a little differently that is NSFW.

VIDEO: Harrison Ford stars as cranky morning anchor in new movie

Hollywood loves to make movies about the TV news business. The best broadcast news film in my opinion is Network (1976). It is also the best prognostication of what was to come. If you haven't seen it, find it and watch it.

The latest TV news flick comes from the producing mind of J.J. Abrams and is called Morning Glory. It stars Rachel McAdams as a producer working with the hardass anchor played by Harrison Ford. Diane Keaton is the other anchor on the network morning news show with Jeff Goldblum as a flustered manager. 50 Cent plays himself. Could be promising.

Here is more of a synopsis from YouTube:

When hard--working TV producer Becky Fuller (McAdams) is fired from a local news program, her career begins to look as bleak as her hapless love life. Stumbling into a job at "Daybreak" (the last--place national morning news show), Becky decides to revitalize the show by bringing on legendary TV anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford). Unfortunately, Pomeroy refuses to cover morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion and crafts -- let alone work with his new co--host, Colleen Peck (Keaton), a former beauty queen and longtime morning show personality who is more than happy covering morning "news." As Mike and Colleen clash, first behind the scenes and then on the air, Becky's blossoming love affair with fellow producer, Adam Bennett (Wilson) begins to unravel -- and soon Becky is struggling to save her relationship, her reputation, her job and ultimately, the show itself.

Morning Glory comes out this Fall.

TV anchor preacher, WFAA 8 baby fever, Clear Channel wants more stations and more

KAVU-TV Victoria, Texas TV anchor preaches at church on weekends
ABC 25 anchor Chase Gallimore steps behind the pulpit of the College Church of Christ, where he serves as the preacher on weekends.

WFAA8's Slater and Gables: tweetin' and bloggin' about their impending deliveries
Baby time with WFAA 8 anchors Shelly Slater and Shon Gables.

Clear Channel asks the FCC to lift limits on station ownership
Owning more than 800 radio stations as it does is not enough.

Another CBS11 meteorologist under the weather
CBS11 meteorologist Jeff Jamison underwent a non-emergency appendectomy.

Checking in with the TV promo people
They are alternately known as promo people, marketing gurus, preditors, promo writer/producers or members of creative services.

Waco radio dial gets new mix with 1 new station, 3 different formats
Waco radio listeners have some new sounds and programming flavors to sample this summer with one new station and three different formats, including Waco’s first hip-hop/urban format, entering the market. (Thanks Will-E)

Matt Lavine returns to KHOU 11 weather

I feel like I could copy older posts I've written before about this, but former popular Fox 26 KRIV meteorologist Matt Lavine has resurfaced on KHOU 11.

Last December Lavine told the mikemcguff.com blog he and his family were moving to Seattle, but I understand the Lavine's are back in Houston once again permanently.

On Facebook Lavine said this weekend's KHOU weather gig was a freelance one.

This tells us he keeps trying to get away, but the Houston TV audience keeps sucking him back in!

RELATED
- Matt Lavine talks about KHOU 11 gig
- Matt Lavine resurfaces on KHOU 11 in Houston
- Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26? 

Corpse Flower photos from HMNS

Just got back from the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) where the boy and I visited the Cockrell Butterfly Center to see the famous Corpse Flower. (SEE HOW TALL IT IS)  It still has not bloomed, but it has fans and even merchandise. Then there is the media hype.

I asked the Corpse Flower if I could be its agent, but then some men in suits stepped up and told me they already represent it. Need to be quicker with the next Houston media sensation.

Oh yeah and don't ask for its autograph either.

Seriously there was a crowd there early to see the flower in the flesh (it supposedly smells like dead flesh too right?).

 The flower is housed in a tiny room right before the entrance to the butterflies.

There are cameras mounted near the ceiling. One has to be the 24 hour web cam I've heard so much about, the others appeared to be time lapse cameras. Do they have smell-o-vision though? That's what we need.

- http://www.hmns.org/see_do/butterfly_center.asp
- http://www.hmnsmedia.org/CorpseFlower/

Houston reality TV show, Anchor weatherman out, Beavis and Butthead plus more

Dallas weatherman out from injury
TXA21/CBS11 meteorologist Garry Seith remains on the mend from a serious late June motorcycle accident.

“Beavis and Butt-head” rumor just shy of official confirmation
Neither MTV nor Austinite Mike Judge’s camp is commenting.

Another Bravo reality series for Houston
Houston has yet another reality series in the making and this one is for real, really.

WOAI News Anchor Admits Chupacabra Story Is a Naked Ploy for Ratings
Chupacabra gets WOAI San Antonio anchors Randy Beamer and Elsa Ramon on Gawker.

Christiane Amanpour to start Sundays on ABC
ABC's Christiane Amanpour officially hits the Sunday morning talk world on August 1.

Vote Houston (or other city) to premiere new Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg film 'The Other Guys'

I just saw a big billboard at 610 and Beechnut for the new Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg film 'The Other Guys.' It comes out August 6th.

The film is about two NY cops who aren't exactly the stars of the police department. The film will premiere in New York, but you can make Houston the other guy site of the second premiere. These PR people are getting clever here so I will give up the space to talk about this - plus the movie trailer (below) looks pretty funny.

Beginning today, moviegoers can go on Facebook at www.facebook.com/otherguysmovie and vote in a poll to decide which Other City will host The Other Premiere. Ferrell and Wahlberg will attend the red carpet event in the winning city on August 5th.

The 20 candidate cities are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa/St. Petersburg, and Washington, DC. On August 2, Ferrell and Wahlberg will announce the winning city.

PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers in action PART 3

Kick off the weekend right. How? By looking at some NBA cheerleader tryouts as the ladies compete to become Houston Rockets Power Dancers.

SEE THE POWER DANCER AUDITIONS HERE

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- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers get down PART 2
- PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 1

AUDIO: KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse surprises Ken Hoffman

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I just found the audio (click on above player) from my appearance on the Ken Hoffman and David Nuno show last Friday on 1560 The Game KGOW. If you saw my tweet at the time, then you know we got Hoffy to talk about Ms. Sachse and then had her call in as a surprise! I also got corrected on how to properly say her name while she was on the line. Embarrassing!

There is also talk how Sachse's co-anchor, Bill Balleza, made fun of Hoffman on the Channel 2 newscast recently. Hoffy is out for revenge!

Naturally it was all in support of Abby's Book Corner which is collecting books right now for Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

After this surprise, I'm probably banned from the show forever.

RELATED
Donate your children's books to help a Houston hospital

(Photo courtesy of dominiquesachse.tv)

KENS 5 gets reporter Sarah Forgany and Adrienne Alvarez moves up at KDBC

Ken Lindner and Associates, Inc., which has been around for 22 years by the way, is announcing some Texas TV station personnel moves.




Belo gets reporter Sarah Forgany from KLFY and puts her on KENS 5 San Antonio. According to LinkedIn, Forgany attended the University of Houston. Go Cougars. (watch her story above)

Here is the funny part. I find Forgany's Facebook page, see a photo and recognize her as one of my former co-workers! She is using a different name now so her real identity is safe with me. Turns out from her real FB page, she's been at KENS since April. I need to watch my FB news feed more closely!

Moving west...way west...Adrienne Alvarez is moving to the main evening anchor chair for KDBC "out in the west Texas town of El Paso."

NASA TV goes High Def Monday

NASA fans rejoice. Coming Monday, NASA Television will launch a full-time High Def channel for news and coverage of agency missions.

NASA says this channel will have exclusive HD content only the space agency can provide. This includes:

- Live launch coverage of space shuttles and other spacecraft.
- The "ISS Update," a daily program covering the activities of the on-orbit International Space Station crews, will air on the new HD channel.
- Video of the Earth shot by crews on the station and from NASA satellites also will be available.

Also look out for news feed, media conferences, lectures, satellite interviews and special events.

I guess this is up to your TV provider if they allot bandwidth to this new NASA HD channel however.

Remember in MTV's early days when you were supposed to call the cable operator doing your best Sting and say, "I want my MTV in stereo?"

Now you can call them up and say, "I want my NTV in HD!" OK that was weak, I know. It's almost the weekend, what do you care?

For complete NASA TV information: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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First native Houstonian astronaut in space talks from ISS

VIDEO: Angry Texas TV viewer threatens station for weather coverage

TV stations always get an earful from angry viewers when breaking into non-news programming. Take this ornery Texas TV viewer who just wants to watch Criminal Minds. That's it. It doesn't matter that a possible tornado is hitting the area...it's nowhere near her!

Just imagine if the station broke into the soap operas...yikes! (Video has cussing but it is bleeped out)

PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers get down PART 2

It's Thursday. That means it's time for some Houston Rockets Power Dancer auditions photos. Why not? See part 2 of my NBA dancer coverage for KPRC Local 2.

SEE THE HOUSTON ROCKET POWER DANCER PHOTOS

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PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 1

TV anchors/reporter fired over parody video

The story about a group of KARK employees in Little Rock, Arkansas being fired for making profanity filled TV news parody videos at work is making the Internet rounds. [Watch videos here - NSFW]

First let me say there are two ways to look at this. Sure TV crews have been making parody videos at work for years. These people have access to all of the equipment and there's bound to be some aspiring filmmakers and performers working in local TV stations.

The twist in this scheme is YouTube and possible world wide distribution. In the past these videos probably were seen by a handful of people and never distributed past someone's desk drawer.

That being said, kids be careful what you put on video sharing sites.

On the other side of the coin, what a well thought out/put together set of videos. Sure there was too much cussing, but these disgruntled TV station staffers really know how to put out a biting piece of commentary on modern day news departments. No wonder KARK owner Nexstar Broadcasting is so angry.

These videos sting. Ouch.

They tackle what many have been thinking for a long time but only mention in shadowy corners and dark hallways...not to the whole world. Notice the use of current industry jargon and practices - not in a favorable way either. Don't call them news stories anymore, everything now is "content." LOL. But naturally I love the videos. They make a great blog post!

Those let go over the video range from anchors, a reporter and a photographer. Others involved were punished but not fired. Two of those let go, KARK anchor Courtney Collins and reporter Pete Thompson, are already famous for a live television marriage proposal. WATCH THAT HERE You can even read about how they fell in love.

- In YouTube Video Shot In Newsroom, KARK Reporters Spoof News Business
- Video: 'Report This!!!' YouTube Videos Featuring KARK Reporters [NSFW]
- UPDATE: Four KARK Employees Fired In Video Aftermath; Nexstar VP Apologizes

KVUE 24 grabs meteorologist Andrew Chung from KVIA 7

The David Crane Agency tells the mikemcguff.com blog that meteorologist Andrew Chung is blowing on out of KVIA 7 in El Paso and is ready to storm into Austin's KVUE 24.

Prior to arriving at KVIA, he was a meteorologist at KBTV, the NBC affiliate in Beaumont, TX. Before that, he worked as a meteorologist at Florida's News Channel and the MBC Network in Tallahassee, FL.

He graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's of Science degree in Meteorology plus a minor in mathematics, and finished all but the thesis for a master's degree in Meteorology from FSU. Wow, that is a smart weather guy.

RELATED
- KCEN's Jade Mingus to KVUE 24 Austin
- KVUE 24 forecaster uprooted by love

Donate your children's books to help a Houston hospital

Abby's Book Drive has collected a decent amount of children's books, but we could always use more...that's where you come in!

We have two drop off locations at your service:

Amy's Ice Creams - 3816 Farnham Street | Houston, TX 77098-4002 | (713) 526-2697

Nick's Place (near Westheimer and Gessner)- 2713 Rockyridge Drive | Houston, TX 77063 | (713) 780-8338

You can also donate through our Amazon.com wish list. Simply buy a book at this link and it gets shipped directly to the book drive.

A big special thanks to 1560 The Game KGOW. The station gave us a full week of coverage concluding with a live remote book drive! (Thanks to Chance McClain, David Nuno and Ken Hoffman)
Also thanks to KPRC Local 2's Dominique Sachse and Jennifer Reyna for their support.

Abby's Book Corner is collecting books for the library at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

http://www.abbysbookcorner.com/houston.php

Which Texas city saw the biggest jump in burglaries?

Allstate Insurance says the number of home burglary claims for its Texas customers jumped 9% in 2009. Here is the breakdown.

Home Theft Change from  2008 to 2009
Austin                                    +47%
Dallas-Fort Worth                    +7%
El Paso                                   -16%
Houston                                   +8%
Lubbock                                  +1%
Rio Grande Valley                   +55%
San Antonio                              +6%
Waco-Temple-Killeen               +5%

A survey of Texas police departments by the insurance company found flat screen televisions are typically the number one target in home burglaries, followed by laptops, jewelry and cash.

How does the crime go down? Police told Allstate the suspects have "shopping lists" of items to steal. They back into a victim's driveway and knock on the door. If no one answers, police say the bad guys kick in the door, take items and leave within a few minutes.

Where does it all go? Most items end up at an organized fencing operation where it is all transported to other cities, states and across the border.

KHOU 11's Deborah Duncan is a blood thirsty, singing plant

I am not putting this cheaply Photoshopped image up to say anything personally about Great Day Houston's Deborah Duncan on KHOU 11. No, this actually relates to Little Shop of Horrors! now in production at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS).

It seems Duncan is the voice of Audrey II (the plant). I believe this is a prerecorded performance. CORRECTION: Ven Daniel says the performance is live.

Duncan is not the only Houston TV anchor to perform with TUTS. I am pretty sure that former KTRK 13 anchor Bob Boudreaux also hit the stage at Miller Outdoor Theater too.

http://www.tuts.com

Top 10 stolen cars and trucks in Houston for June

The following is a rundown of the “Top 10” makes of vehicles reported stolen to the Houston Police Department during the month of June 2010.

1. Ford Trucks 132
2. Chevrolet Trucks 116
3. Dodge Trucks 102
4. Honda Cars 93
5. Dodge Cars 49
6. Chevrolet Cars 45
7. GMC Trucks 39
8. Ford Cars 33
9. Chrysler Cars 25
Toyota Cars 25
10. Buick Cars 19
Jeep Trucks 19

PICS: Houston Rockets Power Dancers bring the heat PART 1

I've moved on from the Houston Texans cheerleader tryouts to the Houston Rockets Power Dancer auditions. Last Sunday KPRC 2 sent me out to take photos of the big event at the Toyota Center.

There are about 200 photos that will be published on click2houston.com. Today I present the first 50.

SEE THE HOUSTON ROCKET POWER DANCER PHOTOS

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition coming to Houston

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is returning to our area and this time building a house in Houston.

HHN Homes along with other groups like Houston's First Baptist Church are working to get volunteers for the quick house building session for one lucky family.

In fact Houston's First Baptist Church is holding a volunteer rally Monday, July 19 @ 7 pm in its Worship Center. MORE INFO

Read more about the project: http://www.hhnhomes.com/extreme/

Previous Extreme Makeover: Home Edition tapings in SE Texas took place in East Bernard and Kemah.

What's The High Tech Texan doing in California?

I've noticed that The High Tech Texan Michael Garfield is having some fun in sunny Los Angeles, California. A quick look at SoCal's weather forecast reveals it ain't getting past 88 degrees out there.

Imagine the High Tech Texan as the High Tech Californian? Not sure that has the same ring to it. But what if he was out there spreading his wings? Could you imagine Garf as a "funny, hyper, TV-friendly, host with good B.S." commanding a game show?

Maybe.

In the meantime, Dennis Miller is filling in on his World According to Garf time slot on 9-5-0 KPRC. Have a safe journey Garf.

First native Houstonian astronaut in space talks from ISS

The Houston media is often criticized for not reporting on NASA outside of shuttle launches or disasters. I'm not the MSM, but I try to give you some NASA news here.

NASA TV posted a video interview with Shannon Walker, the first native Houstonian to fly in space, from the International Space Station. The interviews are with 740 KTRH and the Houston Chronicle.

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First Native Houstonian astronaut set for launch

Russ Martin starts show, ABC not for sale, NBC on CBS and more

Russ Martin’s first morning back at The Eagle KEGL 97.1 FM
Provocative DJ Russ Martin came back to KEGL-FM (97.1) The Eagle on Monday true to form: with a whimper, not a bang.
- The Russ Martin Show lands at 97.1 The Eagle KEGL Dallas

Fox Sports Houston scores TV deal with University of Houston
Fox Sports Houston has signed a multiyear agreement with the University of Houston to produce and televise football-related content in what could be a small but important step toward making the school more attractive to a BCS conference.

Disney boss Bob Iger told press he isn't in Sun Valley to do any deals
Looks like Disney is not interesting in selling ABC at this point.

Audio From NBC Nightly News Heard on the CBS Evening News
We're pretty sure the CBS Evevning News would like to have the viewership of America's #1 evening newscast, NBC Nightly News, but this is no way to do it.

KRLD's Restaurant Week Returns
"Reservation Day" Kicks Off Chance to Try Out DFW Restaurants.

Former Houston TV anchor loses lawsuit against station

I'm late blogging today because I totally crashed early last night and am now behind because of it.

The big news of the day (based on the emails I received) is about former KPRC 2 anchor Wendy Corona. Back in January 2009 I first told you about her exiting the anchor desk.

Now David Barron of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Corona has lost the lawsuit she brought against the station after her sudden departure:

However, Judge Sylvia Matthews last week granted motions for summary judgment by the defendants to dismiss allegations of breach of contract, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, misrepresentation and fraud. READ MORE

(Image courtesy of Houston Style Magazine) 

RELATED
- Where is KPRC's Wendy Corona?
- Former KPRC 2 anchor sues for defamation

(Thanks to Rorschach and Jim for the tips)

VIDEO: KPRC 2's Sports Sunday open from the 1990s

Open to KPRC 2's Sports Sunday show from the 1990s.

RELATED
- Sports Sunday with Craig Roberts Promo - 1989 - Doc Moore Promo
- KPRC Sports Sunday Tease & Open, 1989

(Thanks Allen)

A multi-platform reporter’s day, Anchorwomen going to greater lengths and more

A multi-platform reporter’s day
Jacqueline Ingles says she is on continous deadline. The 26-year-old works for KXAN News, the NBC affiliate in Austin, Texas. Ingles says she creates content for the Web and television daily.

WFAA8 hires Colleen Coyle as new weekend Daybreak weathercaster
Dallas-based WFAA8 has tabbed Colleen Coyle from CBS affiliate KPSP-TV to be the new Daybreak weekend meteorologist.

Anchorwomen going to greater lengths
What happened to “serious hair,” as it was once called; you know, the news bob that ranged from chin length to just above the shoulders? Look around: Ursula Pari, Sarah Lucero, Karen Grace and others now have hair that’s more glamour girl than traditional newswoman.

Yan leaves CW33, joins CNN
Holly Yan, hired as a "backpack journalist" in May 2009 by Dallas-based CW33, is moving on to CNN.

VIDEO: TV anchor loses it, mouths dirty word to camera on live television

KNBC Los Angeles anchor Chris Schauble was not happy with the crew when they ran the wrong story video while he was reading on live TV. What happened next made him famous on the Internet for 15 minutes.

His co-anchor was reading after the video problem so Schauble most likely thought the camera was on her or video was playing...instead it was a two shot of both anchors with an agitated Schauble mouthing something naughty on camera. Oops.

Hey isn't his co-anchor Alycia Lane? Now she is famous for more than just being an anchor too.

(via TMZ)
[Thanks Murdock!]

1560 The Game, here I come live today from 1-3pm

Just a reminder that I will be on with Ken Hoffman and David Nuno 1-3pm on 1560 The Game KGOW.

We'll be live at Nick's Place collecting books for the Abby's Book Corner book drive and talking Houston media and sports. Trust me, you never know what is going to happen when I am on this show. That Hoffman is a wild card I tell you! LISTEN LIVE HERE